Portable oil well derrick



Sept. 23, 1952 R. woobs 2,611,455

PORTABLE OIL WELL DERRICK y Filed sept. 1o, 1949 I 4 Sheng-sheet 1 Sept. 23, 1952 Filed Sept. l0, 1949 R. WOODS PORTABLE OIL WELL DERRICK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 23, 1952 R. wooDs PORTABLE OIL WELLDERRICK 4 Sheets-Shea? 5 Filed Sept. lO, 1949 Sept. 23, 1952 R. wooDs 2,611,455

PORTABLE OIL WELL DERRIQK Filed Sept. l0, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wi/WM ,1a/mfr Waas,

Ma/w

latented Sept. 23, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PGRTABLE OIL WELL DERRICK Ridley Woods, Long Beach, Calif.

Application September 10, 1949, Serial No. 114,959

7 Claims. (o1. 18e-11) My invention relates tov theeld ofl oil well equipment, and more particularly to a portable derrick that can be used not only for oil well drilling purposes, but due to the mobile nature off' the device, can be utilized to advantage whereever a relatively high mast or derrick is required such as'V for the mooring of a dirigible, as a temporary television or radio tower, and similar uses.

Although anumber of. portableoil well derricks have been devised and' used kin they past; themajorityv of' these. devices. are formedV asV a single mast which4 may be erected at thev ,desired location, and when the drilling or oil well maintenance operation is completed can. be taken down and moved to the next location. Thev disadvantage` off this. type of: derri-ck is. that it is in the 4form of a single mast, and requires the use of guy wires to hold it in an erect andstable position. The uselof guy wiresy on such a, devicevis notonly inconvenient, but. is time consuming in that means must, beprovided to anchor the lower ends of the guy wires in orderthat they will maintain the. mast in a stable, position'.

.The major object, of my invention isA to provinev aportable; oil well derrick which in theacollapsed; state is in the form of a compact` unit that; canbe; moved from place to place, andupon the; desired locationvbeing reachedthe unit: by use of hydraulic equipment formed asa part thereo is erected, into a `tripod. type .oi-l well derrickrequiring no, guy wires to maintain it; in ai stabler rmsition.v v

Anotherobject of my invention is to furnish a; portable oil well derrick that can be. moved overr the highways in the: same manner as any other vehicle, can be erected and-,collapsed by a member of a drilling. crew after the. man. has receiveda relatively short course of instruction inthe operation ofthe device, and i's economical to operate inthat the; devicel requires little or no maintenance attention. Yet another object of my invention is to supply a portable oil well derricl; that'can be fabricated from` standard commercially: available materials,A is attractive vin appearance; isl compact and can` bestoredlin a relatively small areawhen not"r in; use, can be fabricated withoutl the use of special machinery and plantequipment, and can hence be sold at a` price which iscompetitive with otheroil well derricks ci av portable nature. These and otherl objects andi advantages of my invention will `become apparent from the followingv description of a preferred form thereofi and the drawingsv illustrating that* form in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of m-yf port- 2 able oil well derrick in the collapsed state, and ready torbe moved to a drillingy location;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the derrick shown in Figure l; 1

Figure 3 is an. end elevational View ofthe device shown in, Figure 1 and takeny looking from the left in Figure 1;

Figure, 4. is a'sideelevational view of the device with oneI of the. legs extending upwardly in a nearly raised position, and the two other legs, one of which is hidden from view in the process of being raised to form the derricl: tripod;

Fig-ure,- 5 is a fragmentary horizontal view of device showing, the manner in which the rearward: portionof the vehicle is. spread; prior tothetwo: legs supported therefrom being erected tcsiorm a portion of. the derricli;

Eig-ure, 6. is a. perspective view of theV derrick in an erected position;

FigureV 7 is a horizontal cross sectional View of one of the tripod. legs taken on the line 1-1 of j Figurel 4; x

Figure 8"is a fragmentary perspective view of one ofthe lower portions of a legbeing erected .to form a port-ion of the derricl.;A

Figure 9Y is a i fragmentary perspectivev View of a portion of one of the tripod legs, and show'- ingthe manner in which the rupper portion thereofis supported Afrom the lower portion ofthe legt;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the working: platform; and,

Figurell isa schematic layoutof'the hydraulic system used' inactuating the component',v parts of; my portabl'ecoil well derrick.

Referring now toFigures` l, 2', and 6 for the general: arrangement of my invention, it will be seen that avehi'cle V is provided that pivotally supports three tripod legs. L-I',. L-2-, and L-3 therefrom. r'lille vehicle V, as may bestfbe seen inrFigure, isadapted to have therearward portion thereof spread to permit thexlegs L-Ij, L-2 and L3 to-beerected into a position where; they form a derrickD with the derrick having aV Working platform P Vsupported at a convenientvheight thereon.y The. der-rick D afterl it has been erected by the, use civ-,a hydraulicV mechanism H` best seen in Figure l1, maybe collapsed after. the drilling operation has. been completed intothe form shown in Figures 1 and 2Y by the use ofthe hydraulic systemH used in placing the derri'ck in an erected position. L y

The'vehicle V as may best be seen in- Figures l', 4, andi 5 is formed from a forward chassis portion` 10i having two identical rearwardly ex.-

3 tending chassis portions II pivotally affixed thereto. The forward chassis portion I3 is fabricated from two parallel laterally spaced members I2 which are joined at the forward end by a cross piece I3 and on the rearward end by a cross member I4. The cross member I4 has two laterally spaced U-shaped members I5 projecting rearwardly therefrom. Situated in each of the vLJ -s-haped members I5 is a sleeve member I6 that is rotatably supported on a shaft l1 that extends between the two spaced legs forming the U-shaped member. A .pin I8 is provided for and extends upwardly from each of the sleeve members I6, and pivotally engages a horizontally positioned lug I9 disposed on the forward end of veach of the rearward chassis portions II.

Each of the chassis portions II as may best be seen in Figure 5 includes two laterally spaced side members that are joined on their rearward ends by a cross piece 2I, and on their forward ends by a cross member 22 to which the lugs I9 are welded or otherwise affixed. In Figure l it will be seen that the forward chassis member I0 is movably mounted on pneumatic tired wheels 23, while each of the rearward chassis portions II is supported on a set of pneumatic tired wheels 24 that are normally aligned with the wheels 23. Each set of the wheels 24 is mounted on a carriage 25, with each carriage being pivotally supported for horizontal rotation from one of the chassis portions II.

Each of the carriages 25 has a horizontally disposed gear 26 aflixed thereto, with the gear 26 being adapted to engage a worm 21. The worm 21 is mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft 28 which by a conventional bevel gear arrangement 29 provided at the forward portion thereof can be rotated by use of a shaft 30 which extends upwardly a short distance above the chassis II. The shaft 30 may be manually operated by use of a wheel or crank 3I mounted on the upper end thereof, or it may be power driven should it be so desired. By rotating the shaft 30 the worm 21 is actuated to turn the carriage 25 to a position substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the chassis II, and with the wheels 24 so positioned the chassis portions II may be swung outwardly from the position shown in phantom line in Figure 5 to that shown in solid line in the same figure for reasons which will hereinafter be explained.

A wheel pin 32 is mounted on each of the inwardly positioned chassis side members 20, with each of the pins pivotally engaging the outer portion of one of two links33. Each of the links 33 has a hole bored toward the inwardly positioned end thereof that is pivotally engaged by a pin 34. The pin 34 is mounted on the rearward end of a piston `rod 35 that extends forwardly into a double acting hydraulic cylinder 36, and by conventional 'piston means (not shown) provided in the cylinder the rod 35 may be' moved forwardly or rearwardly. The motive power to move the rod 35 is provided by the flow of hydraulic fluid to one end or the other of the cylinder 36, and results in the chassis portions II being swung outward or inward on the supporting pins I8. Thus, with the wheels 24 properly positioned, the chassis portions II may be positioned in alignment with the forward chassis portion I0, or spread to the positionshown in full line in Figure 5. The cylinder 36 is preferably supported from the chassis portion I0 on one or more transversely positioned members 31 situated forwardly from the cross member I4 and extending between the side members I2.

Situated on the forward end of the chassis I0 are two upwardly and outwardly extending supporting members 38 that have horizontal bores formed in the upper portion thereof through which a horizontally positioned pin 39 extends. The forward end of eachof the chassis side members I2 supports a longitudinally extending beam 40 on the upper surface thereof, with each of the beams having the lower end of one of the members 38 welded or otherwise aiiixed thereto. An angularly disposed reinforcing bar 4I is provided for and extends between each of the beams 40 and the member 38 supported thereon. The pin 39 as may best be seen in Figure 4 serves to pivotally support the leg L-I by engaging a bore formed in a lug 42 that extends inwardly from the lower portion of the leg.

To pivot the leg L-I from the horizontal position shown in Figure 1 to theV upwardly extending position shown in Figure 4 a hydraulic cylinder 43 is employed. The lower portion of the cylinder 43 is formed with a downwardly extending lug in which a horizontally disposed bore is formed that engages a pin 44 which extends through a similar lug affixed to the forward upper portion of the chassis portion I0. Thus, the hydraulic cylinder 43 may pivot as a piston situated therein (not shown) moves a piston rod 45 upwardly or downwardly due to the introduction into or withdrawal of hydraulic huid from the cylinder. The rod 45 on its upper end engages a pin 46 mounted in a lug 41 which is secured to the lower inner surface of the leg L-I. The leg L-I, as well as each .of the legs L-2 and L3, are formed with identical lower leg portions 48. The lower leg portions of the legs L-2 and L3 are designated 48h and 48e respectively.

Although the leg portions.48 can be fabricated in a number of diiferent ways, I have found it preferable to use four parallel, laterally spaced members 49 (Figures 7 and 9) which at uniform longitudinal intervals are joined by normally disposed bars 50, with the bars 50 having angularly disposed bracing rods 5I extending therebetween. Each of the leg portions 48 on the lower portion thereof terminates in four inwardly tapering members 52 that on their lower extremity support a plate or member53 having a jack 54 of conventional design supported therefrom. The jack 54 may be of a simplified structure in which a threaded rod 55 engages a tapped boreiprovided in the plate 53, with the rod lon its lower end rotatably engaging a xed pressure plate 56 shown only in Figure 6 that is positioned on the surface of the ground.

Mounted on the rearward end of each of the chassis portions II (Figure 8) are two upwardly and outwardly vextending members 51 which on their upper ends support a horizontally positioned pin 58 therebetween. The -members 51 preferably extend upwardly from beams 59 that rest on the members 20, and being reinforced by members 60 that extend forwardly from the members 51 to the beams 59. Each of the pins 58 pivotally supports one of the legs L-2 or L3 by engaging a bore formed in a lug 6I that extends downwardly from the leg. The legs L-2 and L3 are each pivoted upwardlyor downwardly by the use of a hydraulic arrangement as discussed in connection with the leg L-2. 'I'he hydraulic cylinders and piston rods used to pivot the legs L-2 and L-3 are hereinafter referred to as 43h, 43.2 and 4512.450 respectively. 1

' The leg'L-I as may best be seen in Figures-l and 1 includes not only the lower leg portion 48, but a leg portion 66 of similar design"v but of smaller cross section that slides within the coniines of theleg portion 48. VIn legs L2 and L-3 the same type structure is usedwith the` telescopically movable upper leg portions being referred to as 65h and'c respectively. Longitudinally positioned within the confines of rthe leg portions 66 is a hydraulic cylinder 61 that extends substantially the length ofthe leg portions 48, with the cylinder being'supported from the lower part of the leg portion 4p by a transversely `positioned pin or member 61' that extends between two oppositely disposed bars 50. The cylinder61 is provided with a piston'rod '68 that is connected to a piston of conventional designf (not shown) slidably disposed within the `coniines of the cylinder, and the upper endof the. rod being connected by a pin 69 or othervmeans tothe upper portion of the telescopically slidable legs 66. The legs L-2 and L-3 are similarly provided with hydraulic cylinders which are referred to as 61?)v and 61o respectively.

By use of one of the cylinders E1 the particular leg portion 66 associated therewith can be moved upwardly or downwardly when any one of the legs L-l, L-2, orL-a is situated .in an-upwardly and inwardly extending position as occu-` pied by L| in Figure e; The upward and downe ward movement of each of the leg portions 66 is, of course, controlled by admitting or withdrawing hydraulic nuid from thecylinder 61, 61h, or 61e associated' therewith as will'hereinafter be explained in detail.

Each of the legs L-|,-L2, and L-3 near the upper portion thereof, as may best beseen in Figureg, is provided with'two oppositely disposedy shafts that are rotatably supportedby brackets 1|. Extending upwardly from each vof the shafts 'i0 are two laterally spaced stops 12 which can be positioned by--rotation of the shafts 10 to have the lower end portion of one of the legs 66.rest thereon. The end of each ofthe shafts 10 is provided with a lever 13v that is -pivotally connected to one of two piston rods l14'. Each of the rods extends inwardly into a hydraulic cylinder 15 where it is connected Vto an individual piston (not shown). By use of hydraulic iiuid admitted to the cylinder 15 the pistons are either moved away from one another to disengage the stops 12 from their supporting position for` the leg 66, or are moved'inwardly toward one another to place the stops in a supporting position for the leg. The upward movement of each of the legs 6E, 66h, and 66e is controlled by use of the hydraulic cylinder 51, 61h, and 61o associated therewith, or other means that will hereinafter be discussed. The legs 66, 66h, and 66C after they have moved upwardly a predetermined distance,l havel the lower portion thereof engage stops of a conventional nature (not shown) aiixed to the supporting leg portions 48, 48h, and 48e respectively.

Mounted on the upper end of the leg 66 as may best be seen in Figures 1, 2, and 4 is a rectangular framework 16 formed oftwo laterally spaced parallel side members 11 that are connected by two end pieces 18. Extending upwardly from the framework 1S. and supported thereon is a crown block19 of conventionaldesign that serveswhen the three legs L-I, L-2,` and L-3 are in an erect position to support cables from which a traveling block (not shown) .is suspended in accordance with normal, oil eld practice. Two sheaves and 8| are situated on each side of the crown block 19', and can'be supported'from either r.the frame 16 or the crown block 19 should this. be found to be more convenient.

Two brackets .85 .extend outwardly from the upper end portion of. the leg 48, and have a shaft 86 extending therebetween that pivotally Asup-- portsa tubular member 8,8 to which the working platform frame P is aflixed. `The platform frame P as maybest be seen in Figure lincludes two angularly disposedv arms .89; that onv their outer ends are'connected by an'arm 90. The arms 89, as well as the arm Se, are provided with upwardly. extendingrails .92, 93', and 94 .to safeguard the; member of a crew when he is stationed on the platform.

v.It will be noted that two floored areas 95 and 9E are provided on the platform frame P for `use 'of the crew member stationed on the platform, and that a number of spaced rigid members 9.1 are positioned within the confines of the plat.- form.' Themembers 91 are used in racking pipe and tubing in accordance with standard oil iield practice. i

Mounted on each end of the leg is a pin 490a that pivotally supports an engaging member a8, with each of the members'being adapted to be removably aixed to one of two hooks 99. .Each vof the hooks extends inwardly from Vone'of the legs or L43. The members 98 are caused-.to engage Vthe hooks 99 after the legs 4S, 48b,.and vMohave beenerected, but prior kto the legs 1.06', 55h, and l66o. having been moved upwardly. to form the completed derrick as willhereinafterlbe explained. Theengaging-members 98 and hooks 99 cooperate to hold .the platform frame P.in a substantially horizontalV position as may best'be seen Vin Figure'.. Each of the legs L-2 and L.3 is identical in'con'struction with leg L-l, with the exception, of course, that they do not have a crown block 'supporting-'platform 16 mounted on the upper end thereof, or the platform Ppivotally supported therefrom.

. Theupperlegs 66h and 66e are each provided on the upper ends thereof with a bolt |00, .with each of the bolts beingadapted to cooperate with one of two slotted members |0| mounted on-the outwardly disposed sidepieces 11 to removably secure the upperV ends .of the legs L-2 andv L-3 thereto after the leg portions 66h and 66e have been raised upwardly to the position shown in Figure After the bolts |00 have been engaged with the members |0| and tightened up the derrick D is held together' as an integral unit, and canbe-used for drillingoperations in a conventional manner.` Y

Although a number of hydraulic systems may be employed to` actuate the cylinders used in erecting my derrick to the position shown in Figure 6, and causing it to collapse to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, I have found it convenient to 'employ the hydraulic system shown in diagrammatic form shown in Figure l1.

A hydraulic pump |02 of the proper capacity is provided and mounted in a convenient location on the .vehicle V, and is connected by a conduit |04 to a reservoir |05 that is filled with hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic iiuid is discharged from the pump |02 when itis in operation into a conduit |06 which leads to a header |01. Eachof the hydraulic cylinders 43, 43h, and 43o Yused in moving the lower'legportions'd, 481), and 48e upwardly into a tripod position is connected by a conduit|08, |081), and |08c respectively, to the header |01. I Each of the conduits |08, |0812, and

|06c has a valve |09, |09b, and |09c respectively provided therein, and situated between the header |01 and the hydraulic cylinder to which the conduit is connected. Extending from the lower portion of each of the cylinders 43, 43b, and 43e is a conduit H0, HDb, and ||0c respectively, with each of the conduits having a valve Hlb, .and |||c provided therein and located between the ,hydraulic cylinders from which the line extends to a return header H2 to which each of the conduits is connected.

,Two discharge conduits I l5 and H6 extend from the header |01 to opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinder 36, with the conduit ||5 having a valve H1 mounted therein, and the conduit H5 being provided with a valve H8. Two conduits ||9 'and |20 extend from opposite ends of the cylinder 36 to the header H2, with conduit H9 having a valve |2| provided therein, and a valve |22 controlling the ow of uid through the conduit The hydraulic cylinders 61, 61h, and 61e raise upper legs 66, 66h, 66o, and are connected to the header |01 by conduits |23, |23b, and |23c respectively. Each of the conduits |23, |23b, and |23c is provided with a valve |24, |24b, and |24c respectively, to control vthe ow of uid to the cylinders 61, 61h, and 61e. The cylinders 61, 61h and 61c are connected to the return header H2, by conduits |25, |25b, and |25c respectively. Each of the conduits |25, |25b, and |250 is provided with a valve |26, |261), and |26c respectively. One of the cylinders is provided for each of the legs L-I, L-2, and L-3. Each of the cylinders 15 is provided with a conduit |30 that extends from the header |01 to both ends of the cylinder. with the flow of fluid through this conduit being controlled by avalve |3|. A conduit |36 having a valve |31 positioned therein extends from the center of each cylinder 15 to the header H2. By the use of the above described piping the pistons situated in the cylinder 15 may be moved inwardly toward one another.

To move the pistons away from one another in the cylinder 15 a conduit |34 having a valve |35 positioned therein extends from the header |01 tothe center portion of each cylinder 15. As hydraulic fluid is admitted to the cylinder 15 through the conduit |34, hydraulic iluid is displaced from the cylinder by movement of the pistons situated therein'through the conduit |32, which conduit has' a valve |33 `situatedjbetween the cylinder and the header H2 to which the conduit is connected. As a safety measure to prevent rapid movement ofthe component parts of the derrick during the time it is being co1- lapsed, by inadvertently opening the wrong valve or valves, the discharge of hydraulic fluid from the conduit H2 to the reservoir |2 is controlled by a valve |40 having a restricted orice being placed in a conduit |4| leading thereto.

`The operation of my invention is relatively simple. In Figures l and 2 it will be noted that when the derrick is in the collapsed position on the vehicle V the legs L-2 and L-3 are supported on their forward ends on a transversely positioned bracket |50 that is supported on uprights |5| having their lower endsaflixed to the chassis portion |0. The legs L-l, L-2, and Ir-3 on their rearward ends have a cross piece removably affixed thereto, with the cross piece also being removably affixed to a convenient upwardly extending portion of the vehicle V to prevent jostling of the legs as the vehicle is moved over rough terrain. It will also be noted in Figure l that the working platform P extends forwardly and has the engaging members 98 removably affixed to brackets |53 that extend downwardly from the rearward end of the vehicle. Thus, the working platform P not only serves as a support for a member of the crew when the derrick is in the erected position, but serves to hold the leg L-I in a ilxed position on the vehicle when the derrick is collapsed. It will be obvious that the engaging members 98 may be fabricated in a number of different forms so long as they are adapted to hold the working platform P in a substantially horizontal position when the derrick is in the erected form as shown in Figure 6, and to hold the platform in a iixed position when the derrick is in the collapsed state as shown in Figure 1.

In operating my device the vehicle V is moved to the desired location, and the pump |02 is placed in operation. The pump |02 can be actuated by either electrical means or an internal combustion engine. The valve |09 is then opened to permit hydraulic fluid to be delivered to the cylinder 43 which raises the leg L-l to the position shown in Figure 4. Valves |091) and |09c are then opened which causes the legs L-2 and L-3 respectively, to be raised to the same position as that occupied by leg L-l. Valve |22 is then opened as Well as valve |2|, which permits hydraulic fluid to flow from the header H2 to the cylinder 36, with the result that the piston rod 35 is moved rearwardly to cause the two rearward chassis portions H to be moved from the position shown in phantom line in Figure 5 to the position shown in solid line in the same figure. It will be apparent that prior to the last operation being performed the alignment of the wheels 24 is changedfrom the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 5 by rotating the crank or wheel 3| as previously explained.

With the legs L-l, L2, and L-3 thus positioned, the platform P which previously has been held in an upwardly extending position by a cable |54 is permitted to pivot downwardly to a substantially horizontal position where the members 58 are engaged by the hooks 99. The cable |54 extends over one of the sheaves 80 or 8| to a winch of conventional design that is conveniently located on the vehicle.

Hydraulic fluid is now admitted to the cylinder 61 by opening the valve ||26, with the result that the piston rod 45 moves the leg portion 66 upwardly until it engages stops |60 which are afxed to the lower leg portion 48. Valve 35 is opened as well as valve |33 to permit piston rods 14 in the cylinder 15 to move outwardly and cause the stops 12 to pivot inwardly in order that the lower part of the upper leg portion 66 may rest thereon. Thus the weight of the crown block 16 and the working platform P is transmitted through the stops 12 to the lower leg portion 48, and this weight together with the weight of the leg portions 48 and 66 being transmitted by the jack 54 to the pressure plate 56.

Valves |24b andY |24c are now opened to permit hydraulic fluid Ato be introduced into the cylinder 61h and 61e respectively, with the result that the upper leg portions 66h and 66e of the legs L-2 and L-3 are moved upwardly to a position where the engaging members 98 on the upper ends thereof can be removably afiixed to the framework 16. My derrick D is now ready for operation, and draw works (not shown) are positioned between the spread chassis portions and the drilling operation commenced after the -Imoving block is supported between the legs L-I,

L-2, and I r-B from a cable (not shown) which extends over the crown block 19. f '1 After the drilling operation is completed the engaging bolts IBD on the'upper ends of the legs L-2 and L-.3 are disconnected from the crown block supporting framework 'I6'. The valves Ib and |c are then opened, and due to the weight of the upper leg portions 66h and `65o on the pistonrods 45h and 45o` the leg portions' move downwardly expelling fluid from the cylinders 43h and 43C to the header H2.Y Hydraulic fluid flows from'the header ||2 to the reservoir |35, but with its flow beingv restricted bythe yvalve |40. Thus, due to the valve |45 having a restricted orifice, there can be no rap-id movement of the component parts of my device as it is being placed in the collapsed position, even though one or more of the valves may be inadvertently opened. The working platform 81 is placed in the position shown in Figure 4 by simply reversing the operation previously described in moving the platform into a horizontal position. After the legs L-Z and L-3 have been placed in the collapsed position the valve iii is opened which permits theupper leg portion 66 to move downwardly to the position shown in Figure 4. Prior to the leg portions 66, Stb, and 56o being moved downwardly, the valve |3| is opened as well as ythe valve 3'? which causes the piston rods le to moveV inwardly and disengage the stops 't2 from supporting the upper leg= portions. The working platform P is placed in the position shown in Figure 4 by simply reversing the operation previcusly described in moving the platform into a horizontal position.

The lower leg portions 4S, 68h, and 48C now permitted to pivot downwardly into the position shown in Figures l and 2 by opening the valves lilb, and |||c respectively. However, prior to the legs L and L-3 being permitted to assume the .horizontal position shown in Figures land 2, the rearward chassis portions are moved from the position shown in solid line in Figure 5 to that shown in phantom line in the same figure. This is accomplished by opening the valves l i? and 922, which permits fluid *to .be introduced into' the cylinder, 3b through the conduit H5, and fluid previously in the cylinder to be discharged through the conduit |20 lto the header H2. After the rearward chassisportions I l havebeen moved to the position shown in phantom line in Figure 5, the wheels 2li are aligned in position with the forwardly positioned wheels 23 by rotating the crank or wheel 3i as previously explained. yThe working'platform P is now connected by the engaging members 98 to the bracket. E53 situated on the rearward portion of the vehicle V. The forward portions of the legs L-2 and L-S rest on the supporting bracket |50 on the chassis portion it, while the rearward portion of the legs are removably connected to one another by the oros-s piece |52. rfhe derrick now is in condition to be moved to a storage area or another location where a well is tobe drilled by having a truclfor tractor |63 shown in phantom ,line in .Figurel engage the forward portion' of the vehicle V in a conventional manner. v

Althoughin thej previous description of my derrick, I have mentioned the use of hydraulic cylinders 61h and 67o to move the upper leg portions $65 and 66o upwardly from their telescoped position, the same result can be achieved by use of the cable |55 that extends over one of l the sheaves 8B or 8| and is actuated by the winch |55. When my device is operated in this manner, the leg L-l is extended upwardly its full length, and a hook |55 on the end of the cable |54 is caused to engage the two leg portions 651) and 66e to draw them upwardly sufficiently far to engage the crown block supporting frame 'i6 as previously explained. It will be apparentfthat the latter form of my invention can be constructed at less expense than the previously described form in that the two hydraulic cylinders G'lband 61e are eliminated. r i

While. the above described forms of my inven- K tion are capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the preferred forms of my invention, and that I do not mean to'limit myself to the details ofconstruotion herein lshown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A portable derriok comprising a forward vehicle portion and a pair of rearward vehicle portions hinged to said forward portion for lateral movement with respect thereto; means effective to push said rearward portions apart and to draw them together; a derrick leg pivotally mounted at a point toward but spaced from its lower end onsaid forward vehicle portion; means effective to lower said leg so that its upper end extends rearwardly and its lower end forwardly of the-forward vehicle portionia derrick leg pivotally mounted-at a point toward but spaced from its lower `end on each of said rearward vehicle s Y portions; means effective to lower ythe legs mounted on the rearward portions so that their upper ends extend forwardly and their lower ends extend rearwardly of said forward vehicle portion; means eective'to raise said legs from a substantially horizontal position, after the rearward vehicle portions have been spreadapart, into a tripod formation with their upper ends adjacent oneV another; and 4means 'effective to detachably secure together the upper end-s of the legs to provide a rigid self braced structure.

2. A portable derrick comprising a forward vehicle `portion and a pair of rearward yVehicle portions hinged to said forward portion for lateral movement with respect thereto; means effective to push said rearward portions apart. and tov draw them together; a derrick leg pivotally mounted at a point toward but spaced from its lower end on said forward vehicle portion; means effective to lower said leg soY that its upper end extends rearwardly and its lower end forwardly of the forward vehicle portion; a triangular frame pivotally mounted on thev derrick leg mounted on the forward vehicle portion; detachable securing means on the derricl: legs mounted on the rearward vehicle portions whereby said triangular frame 'isA securedto the latter derrick legs when in erected position to provide a stand for pipe and theframe may be disconnected from the latter legs to enable them to be brought to a horizontal position; a platform supported onsaid frame for the use of personnel; means effective to lower the legs mounted on the rearward portions so that their upper ends extend forwardly and 4their lower endsrextend rearwardly of vsaid forward lvehicleportion; means effectiveto raise said legs from a substantially horizontalposition, after the rearward .vehicle portions have been spread apart, into a tripod formation with their upper ends adjacent one another; and means 11 effective to detachably secure together the upper ends of the legs to provide a rigid self-braced structure.

3. A portable derrick as set forth in claim 2 and in addition comprising securing means mounted on the rearward Vehicle portions adapted to engage the triangular frame when the tripod legs are in horizontal position to secure the tripod leg mounted on the forward Vehicle portion to the rearward vehicle portions.

4. A portable derrick having a plurality of wheel supported portions movably connected together, comprising: a derrick leg mounted on each of said wheeled portions; a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted on one of said wheel supported portions; connecting means between said piston and the other wheel supported portions and effective to push the wheeled portions apart to position the derrick legs for erection, and bring them together to provide a vehicle for transportation of the derrick; a hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted on each of said wheel supported portions for raising and lowering the derrick leg mounted on each wheeled portion; a hydraulic system in which all said hydraulic elements are connected; a pump connected to said hydraulic system for supplying fluid under pressure to said system; a reservoir connected between the pump and a pipe returning fluid from said system to the reservoir; a valve in said pipe returning fluid to the reservoir, said valve being effective to restrict the flow or fluid through said pipe to prevent excessive speed in lowering the derrick legs; individual valves controlling the flow of fluid to and from each of said hydrauilc elements; and means for detachably securing together the upper ends of said legs when in erected position to form a selfbraced derrick.

5. A portable derrick having a plurality of wheel supported portions movably connected together, comprising: a derrick leg formed of telescopic sections mounted on each of said wheeled portions, the outer sections being pivotally mounted on said wheeled portions; a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted on one of said wheeled portions; connecting means between said piston and the other wheel supported portions and effective to push the wheeled portions apart to position the derrick legs for erection and bring them together to provide a vehicle for transportation of the derrick; a hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted on each of said wheel-supported portions and connected to the outer sections of the derrick legs mounted thereon for raising the derrick legs; a hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted within each derrick leg and connected to the inner sections thereof` and effective to project the inner sections of the derrick legs outwardly; detent means mounted on the derrick legs and effective to hold them in extended position; hydraulic means effective to release said detent means to enable said derrick leg sections to be telescoped; a hydraulic system in which all said hydraulic elements are connected; a pump connected to said hydraulic system for supplying fluid under pressure to said system; a reservoir connected between the pump and a pipe returning fluid from said system to the reservoir; a valve in said pipe returning fluid to the reservoir, said valve being effective to restrict the flow of fluid through said pipe to prevent excessive speed in lowering the derrick legs; individual valves controlling the flow of fluid to and from each of said hydraulic elements; and means for detachably securing together the upper ends of said legs when in erected position to form a selfbraced derrick.

6. A portable derrick that may be erected to provide a self-braced tripod structure which includes: a forward chassis portion and two rearward chassis portions pivotally connected thereto; three legs, with one of said legs pivotally mounted on said forward chassis portion, and each of the other two legs pivotally supported on one of said rearward chassis portions, with said legs occupying alongitudinally extending position on said chassis portions when said derrick'is in a portable condition; a plurality of wheels supporting said forward and rearward chassis portions; means to align said wheels supporting said rearward chassis portions in a direction to permit said rearward chassis portions to be pivoted toward or away from one another; a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said forward chassis portion; a piston rod mounted in said cylinder; linkage means connecting said rod to said rearward chassis portions; a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure that actuates said piston rod to spread said rearward chassis portions into a derrick erecting position and to retract said rearward chassis portions into a derrick transporting position; three hydraulic cylinders, with one of said cylinders pivotally mounted on each of said chassis portions; three piston rods, with each of said rods mounted in one of said three hydraulic cylinders and pivotally connected to one of said legs; means connecting said three cylinders to said source of hydraulic fluid, and each of said cylinders when actuated, pivoting one of said legs upwardly into an inclined vertical position; three extension legs, with each of said extension legs telescopically mounted on one of said legs; three hydraulic cylinders, with one of said cylinders mounted on each of said legs; three piston rods, with one of said rods mounted in each of said leg supported cylinders and each of said rods connected to said extension legs associated therewith; means connecting said leg supported cylinders to said source of hydraulic fluid whereby said extension legs may be extended or retracted; a crown block assembly mounted on the upper end of one of said extension legs; means to removably join the upper ends of said extension legs to said crown block assembly when said legs and extension legs are in a derrick forming position; a triangularly shaped platform pivotally supported from one of said legs; means to lock said platform to the other of said legs in a substantially horizontal position when said legs are in a derrick forming position; and means to lock said platform to said rearward chassis portions to hold said legs in position thereon when said derrick is in a portable condition.

7. A portable derrick that may be erected to provide a self-braced tripod structure which includes: a forward chassis portion and two rearward chassis portions pivotally connected thereto; wheels supporting said chassis portions; three legs, with one of said legs pivotally supported on each of said chassis portions, with said legs occupying longitudinally extending positions on said chassis portions when the derrick is in a portable condition; three extension legs with one of said legs telescopically mounted on each of said legs; hydraulic means to pivot said rearward chassis portions away from and toward one another; hydraulic means to pivot each of said legs upwardly to an inclined vertical position; hydraulic means to extend and retract said extension legs; a source of hydraulic fluid to actuate said hydraulic means; control means to regulate the flow oi' fluid from said source to said hydraulic means; a crown block assembly mounted on the upper end of one of said extension legs; means to removably join the upper ends of the other two of said extension legs to said crown block when said legs and extension legs are in a derrick forming` position; a triangularly shaped platform pivotally mounted on one ofV said legs; means to lock saidv platform in a horizontal position to the other jjtwo of said legs when said legs are in a derrick form-A ing position; and means to lock said platform' to said rearward chassis portions to hold said legs in position thereon when said derrick is in a port-v` l5 2,414.984

able condition. e RIDLEY WOODS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

IUNITED STATES PATENTS y Number Name Date 842,799 Monroe Jan. 29, 1907 1,646,131 Barnes Oct. 18, 1927 1,896,419 Pinson Feb. 7, 1933 2,183,867 Johansen Dee. 19, 1939 2,191,181 Rogers Feb. 20, 1940 2,317,798 Otto Apr. 27, 1943 2,331,558 McEwen et al. Oct. 12, 1943 2,345,253 Funk Mar. 28, 1944 Steele Jan. 2a, 1947 

